Hikers can now trek up to the summit of Fishers Peak State Park.
On Sunday, the much anticipated eight-mile trail to the 9,633-foot summit of the flat-topped mountain was officially opened by Gov. Jared Polis.
“The hike and views are even better than I expected at Fishers Peak,” he said as he surveyed the panoramic views during a ribbon cutting ceremony.
“It’s a challenging and beautiful trail and I encourage Coloradans to come to Trinidad and enjoy our new world-class state park.”
The trail will be open all winter until March 15 when the upper 3-mile section will need to close to protect a cliffside area where falcons nest and breed.
“This upper section of the trail will be closed until July 31 when the ½-mile buffer restriction is lifted,” said a news release from the governor’s office. “This will be an annual seasonal closure.”
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) parks manager Crystal Dreiling predicts the trail will live up to expectations, but she cautions it is not for beginner hikers.
“Guests will find this hike truly a breathtaking experience,” Dreiling said. “The views at the top are fantastic in all directions. But it’s a challenge and at a 16-mile roundtrip, it’s a long day.”
“Still I’m extremely excited to welcome guests to experience Fishers Peak in a way they’ve only imagined. It’s a physical challenge and a moving experience when you consider this mountain was long a landmark for Native Americans and later guided pioneers along the historic Santa Fe trail.”
It’s expected to take years to fully transform the former private ranch into a modern state park with full amenities like a visitor center, campgrounds, equestrian facilities, roads, electricity and other infrastructure.
A year ago, 11 miles of additional trails were opened in the 19,200-acre park, quadrupling the accessible acreage.
Those feature hiking-only options, a trail dedicated to mountain bike downhill riders only and multi-use trails shared by both users, but customer surveys sent a clear message that a trail to the summit of Fishers Peak was a top priority.
“Fishers Peak is an icon to anyone traveling north over Raton Pass into Colorado or exploring the southeast region of the state,” added CPW Director Jeff Davis.
“This trail is a major accomplishment, given the quick timeline and the challenging conditions faced by trailbuilders. I applaud CPW Park Manager Crystal Dreiling and the entire team that made this happen.”
